I found my new wheel cleaner!!!!!!!

[highperf4x4]

Ok, I've been searching for something that would work like the acid I used to use on the old slots I had on my Satellite. You couldn't leave that stuff on too long or it would turn the rims green. (this is for polished rims only) After going through all the so-called wheel cleaners trying to find something that would do the job even if I had to scrub it after I put it on I was getting bummed. I used to pay like 20.00 a bottle for the acid when I got it from the detail shop. I finally found something that is almost identical that you can buy at the parts store. It's an Eagle1 product called an "etching" wheel cleaner. Seems to work about the same as the acid I used to use. You'll see it start foaming as soon as it hits the rim. Spray it on, leave it 30 seconds, rinse it off. It does an awesome job.

The rims after running through the car wash



I tried to polish one but the finish looked mottled. Need to be cleaner first.



I always use this powerful degreaser first.



You can scrub your sidewalls a little bit and it will make your letters look new again



And this is the awesome cleaner.



I did it twice but it didn't look any different the second time.





The freakin wheels look so good now that I'm not sure I will even polish them again!!!

[chevjayfsd]

Looks good... Although

That's not really polished.. Thats just very clean... If you got a good cutting paste and a nice buffer on those, you could make them look better than chrome. Is there any sealer/clear on those wheels?

[highperf4x4]

Originally Posted by chevjayfsd

Looks good... Although

That's not really polished.. Thats just very clean... If you got a good cutting paste and a nice buffer on those, you could make them look better than chrome. Is there any sealer/clear on those wheels?

No, if they were clear coated wheels the cleaner wouldn't work. They are just polished. I did them once after I put them on the truck and they looked awesome. Feel free to throw some advice/techniques at me.

Tell me how to make them look better than chrome!!



This is what they looked like the first time.....

[vegaschevy]

castrol super clean is HELL on your polished wheels. It will etch them to bare metal in a heart beat...... that is what killed the finish on your wheels in the first place.

[highperf4x4]

Originally Posted by vegaschevy

castrol super clean is HELL on your polished wheels. It will etch them to bare metal in a heart beat...... that is what killed the finish on your wheels in the first place.

Ok, I'll quit using that stuff then. Now how about polishing? What's the best stuff to use and how do I go about it?

I've always just got some mothers and used up my fingers and wrists but I'm getting tired of that.

[Hottrucks]

ok heres my $.02
Flitz and THERE power ball cleaner.....I have tried to many products from Mothers to white diamond and the flitz is way better....trust me I run aluminum in salt water and this is the only thing I will use fast easy and it works..a little pricey but I bought the quart can and I have had it 3 years still half full I think I payed $80 but you can little tubs of it pretty cheap and a litle goes a LOOOOOOng way

[highperf4x4]

So you get their product and you use it with a power ball mini?

What's your technique?

[Hottrucks]

check there website ..there power ball looks like a mop kinda it's not foam then one finger in the flitz put on one little spot and set the drill to slow and just work it around..a corded drill works best once you get it started just increase your speed till it shines and trust me it will...I have used this stuff for everything is does a killer job on yellowed plastic head lights and fiberglass..i havn't found something it won't polish..they have great tech tips on there website and so far they have been right on..

I use it on race boat aluminum lowers, SS props and my Harley. valve covers air cleaners what ever so far so good...keep in mind I'm lazy when it comes to this stuff so it better work quick and easy and look good or F it I'll paint it with a rattle can...lol...I just remebered I did a complete 28 foot aluminum I beam trailer on my last boat....

[Hottrucks]

past my bed time but here it looks like you can get a fre sample too

http://www.flitz.com/

[highperf4x4]

Ok, thx dude!

[Mudder]

I have heard the Flitz is good. California Customs is good also. CC is a two part cleaner/ polish. I have used Mothers and it is about the slowest of all that I have used. It does shine good but I don't like taking a whole day to do it. California Customs does not advertise and can be purchased on line or they can tell you places locally that carry it.

I need to try the Flitz.

[Myself]

There is no magic way to keep bare aluminum wheels looking great. After you wear out your hands polishing them, you need to further wear out your hands waxing them. We have 17" aluminum wheels on 2 of our vehicles. After a polish session I use a good pure carnuba wax on them. That will keep them protected and looking nice for about 4 months if they stay out in the weather like mine.

[highperf4x4]

Originally Posted by Myself

There is no magic way to keep bare aluminum wheels looking great. After you wear out your hands polishing them, you need to further wear out your hands waxing them. We have 17" aluminum wheels on 2 of our vehicles. After a polish session I use a good pure carnuba wax on them. That will keep them protected and looking nice for about 4 months if they stay out in the weather like mine.

Consider me an idiot and shoot me a step by step on your process maybe?

[Myself]

For starters I prefer to take the wheels off, that way I can get them up on the workbench so I'm not laying on the ground. You can do it one at a time, or all at once. Then I wash them down with some Simple Green, and one of those soft wheel brushes. Get the backside good too, that brake dust is nasty. Hand dry with cotton towels , or something like "The Absorber", or you could blow them off with compressed air. This step keeps the water spots away. Now throw one up there on your workbench, turn on the radio, get out you favorite polish, and get busy. I will usually rub out the whole wheel, then wipe off with a diffent cloth. Old towels or cotton t-shirts work great. Then polish with a polishing cloth. Now get out your wax and do the same thing. Rub down the whole wheel, let it dry, rub it off, then polish with a polishing cloth. Now stand back and say "WOW" as your arms hang there lifeless and numb. Now you can use your favorite spray on detailer after you wash, and in between waxings, just like on your paint. If you keep a good coat of wax on your wheels it will seal out the moisture and contaminants that cuased them to look bad in the first place. I hope this helps.

[highperf4x4]

Thanks!!

2 questions though
1. What do you mean when you say polish with a polishing cloth
2. What kind of polish and wax do you use?

[vegaschevy]

Originally Posted by highperf4x4

Ok, I'll quit using that stuff then. Now how about polishing? What's the best stuff to use and how do I go about it?

I've always just got some mothers and used up my fingers and wrists but I'm getting tired of that.

thats how I have done it when needed HAHAHA

I used Castrol Super Cleanon my 22" Rims on my Super Duty. Instantly they were etched. I went a better step then with fingers and drove down to the local truck stop and for 20 bucks a wheel this lady buffed them to a mirror shine..... WELL WORTH IT as they were BAD from the Castrol super clean

[Myself]

Originally Posted by highperf4x4

Thanks!!

2 questions though
1. What do you mean when you say polish with a polishing cloth

You're basically just rubbing that polishing cloth on the wheel until all the little haze, and streaks from the previous step are gone. You will see the shine really come out when you start polishing.

2. What kind of polish and wax do you use?

No polish at all, just a micro-fiber polishing cloth. Any good quality carnuba wax will work fine. I use Meguire's Gold Class.

[highperf4x4]

Originally Posted by Myself

No polish at all, just a micro-fiber polishing cloth. Any good quality carnuba wax will work fine. I use Meguire's Gold Class.

huh????

Originally Posted by Myself

Now throw one up there on your workbench, turn on the radio, get out you favorite polish, and get busy.

[Myself]

Sorry, you'll "polish" the wheel out with aluminum polish. I use some from The Wax Shop. But the real nice shine comes out by BUFFING with a polishing cloth. I should have worded that differently.

[highperf4x4]

got it! thx dude.

[DGulliver]

+1 for the Flitz- many great uses!

[oldblue1968chevy]

eagle 1 etching mag cleaner is what i use to get mud stains off my aluminum ATV block, stuff eats the dang clearcoat off the motor, but looks 100% better than orange motor...

[highperf4x4]

Right on! It's strong stuff, I know that much.

I never did get my wheels polished though. Too many obligations lately. Anyone know how cold is too cold to polish the wheels?

[Hottrucks]

when your beer freezes!!

[highperf4x4]

Originally Posted by Hottrucks

when your beer freezes!!

THAT WOULD SUCK!!